staff & programs
Central Crossing High School
4500 Big Run South Rd
Grove City, OH 43123
Main Office: 614-801-6500
Band Office: 614-801-6556
Grove City, OH 43123
Main Office: 614-801-6500
Band Office: 614-801-6556
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC STAFF
ERIC HUBBELL
Director of Bands
Mr. Eric Hubbell
Eric Hubbell came to South-Western City Schools in 2003 after serving eight years in Dublin City Schools. Mr. Hubbell is the Director of Bands at CCHS and the Percussion Specialist for Holt Crossing Intermediate School and Pleasant View Middle School. A native of Westerville, OH, he earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Morehead State University (Morehead, KY) and his Masters of Science in Education Degree from Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). While attending Morehead, Mr. Hubbell was awarded the Robert Hawkin's Symphony Band Award and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society. He has performed with several Drum & Bugle Corps across the country including the Cadets of Bergen County, and he has taught with the Spirit of Atlanta, Bluecoats, and Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Mr. Hubbell is honored to teach in a community that supports the arts and understands the importance arts education plays in the development of school aged children. Mr. Hubbell currently resides in Dublin with his wife Trixie and his dog Bruno.
Mr. Eric Hubbell
Eric Hubbell came to South-Western City Schools in 2003 after serving eight years in Dublin City Schools. Mr. Hubbell is the Director of Bands at CCHS and the Percussion Specialist for Holt Crossing Intermediate School and Pleasant View Middle School. A native of Westerville, OH, he earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Morehead State University (Morehead, KY) and his Masters of Science in Education Degree from Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). While attending Morehead, Mr. Hubbell was awarded the Robert Hawkin's Symphony Band Award and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society. He has performed with several Drum & Bugle Corps across the country including the Cadets of Bergen County, and he has taught with the Spirit of Atlanta, Bluecoats, and Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Mr. Hubbell is honored to teach in a community that supports the arts and understands the importance arts education plays in the development of school aged children. Mr. Hubbell currently resides in Dublin with his wife Trixie and his dog Bruno.
JEFF BLUME
Assistant Director of Bands
Mr. Jeff Blume
Jeff Blume serves as Assistant Director of Bands at Central Crossing High School, bringing over a decade of experience in music education. Previously, he spent seven years teaching in the Kettering City School District. Jeff is highly regarded as a marching band adjudicator with affiliations including the Central States Judges Association, Ohio Music Education Association, USBands, and KMEA, having also adjudicated in Illinois. His pageantry arts involvement has extended to the visual staff of the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, where he has contributed significantly since 2009. Jeff also serves as a drill writer for marching bands in Ohio, California, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Jeff's marching experience includes performing with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004, 2005, and 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Capital University (2009) and a Master of Music in Music Education from Miami University (Ohio) (2023).
Mr. Jeff Blume
Jeff Blume serves as Assistant Director of Bands at Central Crossing High School, bringing over a decade of experience in music education. Previously, he spent seven years teaching in the Kettering City School District. Jeff is highly regarded as a marching band adjudicator with affiliations including the Central States Judges Association, Ohio Music Education Association, USBands, and KMEA, having also adjudicated in Illinois. His pageantry arts involvement has extended to the visual staff of the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, where he has contributed significantly since 2009. Jeff also serves as a drill writer for marching bands in Ohio, California, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Jeff's marching experience includes performing with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004, 2005, and 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Capital University (2009) and a Master of Music in Music Education from Miami University (Ohio) (2023).
PHILLIP SHOWALTER
Assistant Director of Bands
Orchestra Director
Mr. Phillip Showalter
Phillip Showalter is an assistant director at Central Crossing High School. Prior to his arrival, he worked for 4 years as the band director at Watkins Middle School. A native of Marietta, Ohio, Mr. Showalter received his Bachelor's of Music in Music Education from Ohio University. Mr. Showalter was a member of the trumpet section in the 2014 Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps where he is now in his 4th summer on the visual staff. Additionally, Mr. Showalter has also taught with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, Cap City Percussion, and Worthington Kilbourne High School. Mr. Showalter is excited to be joining the instrumental music family at Central Crossing!
Orchestra Director
Mr. Phillip Showalter
Phillip Showalter is an assistant director at Central Crossing High School. Prior to his arrival, he worked for 4 years as the band director at Watkins Middle School. A native of Marietta, Ohio, Mr. Showalter received his Bachelor's of Music in Music Education from Ohio University. Mr. Showalter was a member of the trumpet section in the 2014 Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps where he is now in his 4th summer on the visual staff. Additionally, Mr. Showalter has also taught with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, Cap City Percussion, and Worthington Kilbourne High School. Mr. Showalter is excited to be joining the instrumental music family at Central Crossing!
NIKKI SZYMANSKI
Color Guard Director
Ms. Nikki Szymanski
As the Colorguard director at Central Crossing, Nikki also teaches 6th grade Science at Holt Crossing Intermediate. From Maumee OH, Nikki was fortunate to be a part of Maumee High Schools Marching Band, Winterguard, and Indoor Drumline programs. After high school Nikki received a bachelors degree in middle childhood math and science education at Bowling Green State University. Performing in the world stage, Nikki was a member of The Glassmen in 2010 and 2011, The Academy in 2013, Juxtaposition Winterguard 2013-2015, and The Cadets 2014-2016. Nikki is lucky to spend her days with the Color Guard and looks forward to continued growth at Central Crossing!
Ms. Nikki Szymanski
As the Colorguard director at Central Crossing, Nikki also teaches 6th grade Science at Holt Crossing Intermediate. From Maumee OH, Nikki was fortunate to be a part of Maumee High Schools Marching Band, Winterguard, and Indoor Drumline programs. After high school Nikki received a bachelors degree in middle childhood math and science education at Bowling Green State University. Performing in the world stage, Nikki was a member of The Glassmen in 2010 and 2011, The Academy in 2013, Juxtaposition Winterguard 2013-2015, and The Cadets 2014-2016. Nikki is lucky to spend her days with the Color Guard and looks forward to continued growth at Central Crossing!
DONNIE ROSS
Percussion Director
Mr. Donnie Ross
Donnie Ross has proudly been teaching percussion and serving the marching community since 2007. He has worked with dozens of schools in the Columbus, OH area and has been involved with Cap City Percussion since its inaugural 2012 season. He currently serves as the Front Ensemble Arranger and Program Coordinator at Cap City, along with contributing to the Visual Design package. His performance experience includes the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (07-09) and Matrix Percussion (06-10). He then returned to be on staff for both organizations - Glassmen in 2012, and Matrix in 2012-2013. Donnie has performed as a clinician across the Midwest and Europe. Highlights include performing at the 2007 PAS Convention and 2008 IPE Championships in Europe.
From 2013-2019, Donnie served as the Educational Sales Director for Columbus Percussion, proudly serving the percussion education community. He is on the percussion staff with the Phantom Regiment Drum And Bugle Corps, and is the Percussion Director and Arranger here at Central Crossing High School in Grove City, Ohio.
Donnie is currently the Second Vice President on the Ohio Indoor Performance Association (OIPA) Board of Directors and has served as a member of the board from 2014 to 2019, and again in 2021. He has also been on the Percussion Advisory Board for WGI since 2017. Donnie is an active marching percussion judge, educator, arranger, sound designer, and program coordinator throughout the Midwest. He is proud to be an artist and endorser of Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, and Pearl/Adams Instruments.
Mr. Donnie Ross
Donnie Ross has proudly been teaching percussion and serving the marching community since 2007. He has worked with dozens of schools in the Columbus, OH area and has been involved with Cap City Percussion since its inaugural 2012 season. He currently serves as the Front Ensemble Arranger and Program Coordinator at Cap City, along with contributing to the Visual Design package. His performance experience includes the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (07-09) and Matrix Percussion (06-10). He then returned to be on staff for both organizations - Glassmen in 2012, and Matrix in 2012-2013. Donnie has performed as a clinician across the Midwest and Europe. Highlights include performing at the 2007 PAS Convention and 2008 IPE Championships in Europe.
From 2013-2019, Donnie served as the Educational Sales Director for Columbus Percussion, proudly serving the percussion education community. He is on the percussion staff with the Phantom Regiment Drum And Bugle Corps, and is the Percussion Director and Arranger here at Central Crossing High School in Grove City, Ohio.
Donnie is currently the Second Vice President on the Ohio Indoor Performance Association (OIPA) Board of Directors and has served as a member of the board from 2014 to 2019, and again in 2021. He has also been on the Percussion Advisory Board for WGI since 2017. Donnie is an active marching percussion judge, educator, arranger, sound designer, and program coordinator throughout the Midwest. He is proud to be an artist and endorser of Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, and Pearl/Adams Instruments.
MARCHING BAND DESIGN TEAM
Music Design:
ALEX YODER
Visual Design:
THOMAS SPARLING
Color Guard Design:
BRANDON SMITH
NIKKI SZYMANSKI
Percussion Design:
DONNIE ROSS
ALEX YODER
Visual Design:
THOMAS SPARLING
Color Guard Design:
BRANDON SMITH
NIKKI SZYMANSKI
Percussion Design:
DONNIE ROSS
Central Crossing High School Instrumental Music Department
Marching Band
The marching band is the ensemble that is most notable in the public's eye. The marching band consists of about 180 students that perform a contemporary show each year. The band undergoes a thorough summer rehearsal schedule and then performs at the Friday night football games. The band also competes locally in the Ohio Music Education Association, Mid-States Band Association, and nationally as a part of Bands of America competitions and the USBands National Championships. In 2004 and 2006 the band was named as a national semi-finalist ranking the band among the top 32 in the country. In fact, in 2006, the band was named as the Bands of America Class AA National Runner-Up. Finally, in 2007 the band was named as the Bands of America Youngstown Regional Champion becoming only the 4th Ohio high school in history to earn the title as Regional Champion at that time.
Concert Bands
At the end of marching season, the entire band will be given audition material which will be used to determine which concert band the student will be put in and where the student will sit in that band. The number of bands will be determined by the directors at the beginning of each concert season. Over the course of the concert season, the band will perform several different concerts. Normally there will be the "Mid-Winter Concert" in February and a "Spring Concert" in May. Also, the band may be performing in events that are sanctioned by the Ohio Music Education Association. Keep in mind that a detailed winter schedule will be published as soon as possible to avoid any scheduling conflicts.
Color Guard
The color guard is an auxiliary group that enhances the visual performance of the marching band. The students in the guard will be trained on flag, rifle, sabre, and modern dance. This particular section of the band is on the same level as any other section of the band. At all of the events that the band attends, you will see many different and interesting guards and will be amazed at some of the things they can do. The majority of the color guard will proceed to the Winter Guard at the conclusion of the marching season.
Winter Guard
Those in color guard during marching season along with marching members, and other students in the school who want to perform in a different environment, enjoy this activity. The Winter Guard usually meets about 3 days per week for rehearsal. During the months of February, March, and beginning of April, the Winter Guard will be performing in different contests in Ohio and other surrounding states. There are additional membership fees that come with the Winter Guard. These fees help offset the design of the show, staff, equipment, contest entry fees, and transportation.
Indoor Percussion Ensemble
The Indoor Percussion Ensemble is for any students who are members of the percussion section or who would like to experience a unique performance experience. The Percussion Ensemble typically meets 2-3 times per week for rehearsal. They also perform at contests across the state of Ohio and may occasionally go out of state to perform in regional competitions. As a member of this ensemble the students will be responsible for additional fees to participate. Those fees help offset the design of the show, staff, equipment, contest entry fees, and transportation.
Jazz Band
Currently, the jazz band meets every afternoon after school as a class. This time is subject to change depending on the school year and situations. The group throughout the year learns the fundamentals and elements of jazz style. Emphasis is put on scale structure to enhance the soloist capabilities of each performer. The jazz band performs at various community events, jazz festivals and all home basketball games. Other performances are scheduled throughout the year at the directors' discretion.
Orchestra
The orchestra is open to all violin, viola, cello and string bass students. A variety of musical works, from standard orchestra literature to popular music, will be studied. The orchestra performs frequently for school, the public, and various community functions.
Central Crossing Conservatory
The CCHS Music Conservatory is open to all current and future students of Central Crossing High School. Students interested in joining the conservatory will have the opportunity to take private lessons from highly qualified individuals. Private lessons enhance a student's ability a great deal allowing them to perform at high levels. The conservatory exists to further develop skills and musicianship for our students. The price of lessons can range anywhere from $10-20 per half hour. If you are interested in joining the conservatory, please contact one of the Directors. The CCHS Conservatory is held at Central Crossing High School's music wing in the afternoons during the week.
